Carlos Beltran spent nearly three years playing for Joe Girardi in the Bronx. Now, the recently retired outfielder might manage the Yankees.
Tuesday, former New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips was the first to break the news that nine-time All-Star Carlos Beltran will interview with the New York Yankees to become the 35th manager in franchise history.
Sources indicate that Carlos Beltran next to be interviewed for Yankees’ managers job. Sixth candidate to be considered.
— Steve Phillips (@StevePhillipsGM) November 28, 2017
The New York Yankees remain the only MLB team without a manager and clearly, the team hasn’t been blown away by any of the other five candidates they’ve interviewed.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Beltran’s interview will be conducted Wednesday morning.
Carlos Beltran’s interview with #Yankees will be tomorrow morning, a source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 28, 2017
Beltran, who announced his retirement shortly after the Houston Astros won the 2017 World Series, has no prior coaching or managerial experience. But the 40-year-old would welcome the chance to run things in a big league dugout.
“At some point in my career, I would love to have the opportunity to manage,” Beltran told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand in mid-November. “With the experience that I have in the game of baseball, the times I’ve played, different teams that I’ve played for, I’ve gotten to see different ways to do things in the clubhouse and for the players. How to motivate them, how to impact them in a way where they continue to improve. I would love that opportunity, for sure.”
He seemed especially interested in potentially managing a team he once played for.
“I had the opportunity to play with the Yankees for three years and I enjoyed myself, big-time,” Beltran said. “I appreciated the way I was treated; my family, the relationship with [Yankees GM] Brian [Cashman]. I don’t know what they’re looking for. Experience as a manager, I don’t have that. But I have the passion for the game, I have the knowledge of being able to play the game for a long time. I get along well with the players, with my teammates; I’ve always taken that to heart, trying to impact my teammates in a positive way.
“I would not discount anything; you’re talking about the New York Yankees. You’re not just talking about any team in baseball. Not taking anything away from any other organization, but the Yankees are a team that anyone would love to put on that uniform and manage that ballclub.”
As for Cashman, he wouldn’t discount the notion of hiring Beltran as manager when asked by ESPN’s Andrew Marchand shortly after Beltran made his feelings known.
“I am aware of his interest in managing in the future,” Cashman said. “I’ll leave it at that for right now.”
For Beltran and the Yankees, the future could be now.